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Blade Beauty
Though it seems like a good idea to house your knives in a block with custom-size slots, in practice it can be an organizational mess. That’s just one of the reasons to love this sculptural holder from German cutlery brand Wusthof. It holds 15 knives and a sharpening steel—and it allows you to keep the blades you use most frequently closest at hand. Not only is it flexible, but it also looks good enough to earn counter space in even the sleekest kitchen. Available on Amazon.
Table It
In the busy test kitchen at Food52, a slotted table stows cutting and slicing tools within easy reach. A table with sliding leaves or two heavy chopping blocks could be positioned to create a similar storage scheme. Be careful to lock the leaves so the knives don’t slip out from the slot.
Tablet Ready
For many of us, cooking alongside an online tutorial has become a fact of life, but not every modern kitchen has caught up with the times. That’s where this cutting board cum tablet stand from CTA Digital comes in handy. Not only is it perfect for following along with a recipe, but it also incorporates slots to store eight knives, so you can pull out precisely what you need as you chop. Available on Amazon.
Chalk It Up
Chalkboard paint is the darling of the do-it-yourself world, and with good reason. It’s cheap, stylish, and incredibly functional. A knife block sprayed with black chalkboard paint looks playful and chic, and its “chalkability” could be useful for keeping blades labeled and organized.
Smile Style
You’ve seen magnetic knife holders before, but never like this. For color and quirk factor, it’s hard to beat these MagMates knife strips, which each hold five knives. MagMates are also available in colorful rubberized pods that each hold a pair of blades—and have that same friendly grin.
Just Drop It
This undercabinet storage solution is a dream for the tiniest of kitchens. If limited counter and drawer space is a concern, consider stashing this magnetic holder beneath an upper cabinet. When you need to do some slicing or chopping, simply pull it down, select the proper blade, then push it up and out of sight. Available on Amazon.
Deeply Felt
Treat your treasured cutlery to a soft and cozy home. This hanging pocket holder, crafted from thick wool felt, keeps five knives and a sharpening steel close at hand and adds a sumptuous texture to your kitchen. This easy DIY could be stitched by machine or by hand.
Rustic Rack
For a magnetic knife holder with a rustic sensibility, nothing beats this DIY option in reclaimed wood. Magnets secured to the wood’s flip side using a drill and adhesive keep the knives in place.
Magnetic Attraction
The streamlined KNIFEdock magnetic holder, crafted from sustainable bamboo, uses powerful concealed magnets to keep knife blades in clear view, making it simple to spot the right tool during busy cooking sessions. The crevice-free design allows for easy cleanup and minimizes bacteria buildup. Available on Amazon.
Creative Block
Knife blocks don’t have to be made of wood. For proof, look no further than this DIY idea that relies on tall vases filled with bamboo skewers or dried beans. One word of caution: Keep these holders in an out-of-the-way spot where they won’t be easily knocked over.
Hidden Genius
With wall space at a premium, the owner of a diminutive home adhered a powerful magnetic knife rack onto the underside of a kitchen cabinet. The strong magnets hold the knives securely, keeping them close at hand but out of sight.
Get Corked
For those lucky enough to have space for a dedicated knife drawer, here’s an ingenious organizational idea. This homeowner crafted custom organizers from sheets of cork. She used pushpins to make guides for larger blades and bundled small rectangles of cork as blade holders for steak and paring knives.
For More…
For more smart storage solutions, try:
Buy or DIY: 8 Clever Solutions for Storing Pots and Pans